Abu Dhabi’s dining scene is a multicultural tapestry of flavours and cuisines, reflecting the emirate’s rich heritage and cosmopolitan influences. Yet, amid the international flair, a growing number of restaurants are championing the use of local ingredients, paying homage to the land and sea that sustain the region. From lush oases to the waters of the Arabian Gulf, the UAE’s natural produce is in the spotlight, with three exceptional, MICHELIN-recommended establishments leading the charge.
What unites Erth, Al Mrzab and ryba is a shared vision to celebrate the ingredients that define the nation by forging relationships with local farmers and fishermen, ensuring their food tastes exceptional and tells a story.
The chefs also pay tribute to traditional Emirati cuisine, reinventing classic dishes, and bridging the connections between tradition and modernity. In a rapidly globalising world, this commitment to championing local ingredients serves as a reminder of the flavours that set Abu Dhabi apart, while also driving sustainable farming practices. It’s a movement that connects past and future, honouring Emirati customs while defining a new narrative for the city’s culinary identity.
Whether you’re a seasoned gourmand or a curious traveller, these dining experiences are a must. They offer a taste of Abu Dhabi that will linger long after the last bite.
SIMILAR: Discover How This One MICHELIN Star Restaurant Honours Its Local Honey
Erth
One MICHELIN Star
MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Nostalgic yet experimental, authentic yet evolved, Erth, which has one MICHELIN star, offers a sophisticated yet heartfelt tribute to Emirati cuisine within the confines of Qasr Al Hosn, an important historical landmark in the true heart of the city. Its name means ‘legacy’ and this venue is more than just a dining destination; it’s a gastronomic journey that bridges past and present, making good use of abundant local resources while honouring their roots and giving them a modern update.The menu highlights seasonal produce, with ingredients locally sourced in collaboration with farms from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Hatta and all around the Emirates, from Sidr honey to locally made ghee and freshly caught fish. Elevated dishes include braised lamb machboos served with sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce and fragrant rice infused with local spices, or chicken saloona cooked in a tomato sauce with Emirati ghee and served with chammy cheese naan.
It’s a dining experience that is at once reflective and pioneering, preserving heritage while also driving forward culinary boundaries.
ryba
Bib Gourmand
MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Perched along Zayed Port, not far from the local fish market, Bib Gourmand restaurant ryba captures the essence of the Arabian Gulf through its seafood-focused menu. Its name, meaning “fish” in Russian, reflects chef Faisal Al Harmoodi’s international outlook and the restaurant’s dedication to the Gulf’s natural bounty, which is celebrated in dishes that are as innovative as they are respectful of tradition.
Recognisable recipes are given a unique local spin, such as the baby beetroot salad, which incorporates chammy, a traditional soft yet tangy cheese, plus labneh and honey sourced from Al Ain, to give it that Emirati touch. The ryba soup is like a classic Emirati saloona (stew) infused with local spices and loomi, or black lime. Naturally, seafood takes centre stage, with fresh catch from Gulf waters such as hammour and jumbo harra shrimp on the menu, as well as more inventive options like jasheed bites, arancini balls made of local fish and flavoured with spiced tomato, saffron mayonnaise and more black lime.
By partnering with fisheries and regional suppliers, the restaurant aims to minimise its ecological footprint while supporting the local economy. This ethos is also mirrored in its nautically inspired interiors, where even the lighting fixtures are inspired by gargoor, or traditional fish traps.
Whether enjoying a leisurely lunch or a celebratory dinner, visitors to ryba are treated to an experience that blends the natural abundance of the Gulf with culinary artistry.
Al Mrzab
Bib Gourmand
MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2025
Along Abu Dhabi’s famous Airport Road lies Al Mrzab, a restaurant that exudes warmth and authenticity while paying tribute to the city through its home-style dishes, interiors and overall ethos. The bright neon sign is the first thing you’ll see, closely followed by the sheer number of diners who flock here (prepare to wait for a table). Photos of old Abu Dhabi line the walls, while the cosy venue also incorporates traditional majlis-style seating.
The menu is like a love letter to traditional Khaleeji recipes, particularly from the Emirates and Kuwait, making good use of top-quality local ingredients while staying true to the classics. Think ouzi made with a full roasted lamb, or chicken harees, a slow-cooked cracked wheat porridge, and the signature mixed mutaban, or meat-stuffed spiced potato wedges.
Other staples make an appearance, such as machboos (a regional rice dish), thareed (a bread soup), jasheed (shredded fish with rice) and margooga (a hearty stew with pastry), as well as desserts including crispy fried luqaimat (Middle Eastern doughnut balls) and cooked-to-order khanfaroush (like a sponge cake meets doughnut) drizzled with local honey.
Illustration image: Erth Restaurant
